NEEDS OF HOMELESS BRING FORTH CARING VOLUNTEERS

By SHEILA RULE

Published: April 8, 1984

For Sybil Rosen, it all began with the character of a homeless woman in a play she was writing. In an effort to explore the part, she volunteered to make a documentary film about services for the homeless at the Bowery Residents' Committee.

And then something happened.

''I began to care,'' the 33-year-old writer said recently at the agency, at 191 Chrystie Street amid a stretch of dilapidated flophouses and abandoned buildings.

''I heard through a friend that B.R.C. was looking for someone to do the film. I'd never volunteered before, but I started spending more and more time with the clients, playing ball, going to rap sessions and just hanging out with them.

''People who think they couldn't volunteer overlook the value of contact for people who've lived on the street,'' she said. ''Their sense of trust is eroded and the merest glimmer of contact from other human beings is very nurturing. Lots of people have something to offer them.'' More Volunteers Are Sought

Volunteering to help the homeless people in New York City has increased during the last few years. More than 200 churches and synagogues operated 70 emergency shelters this winter, and corporations, foundations and individual New Yorkers increased their contributions and involvement. Private groups that help the homeless say, however, that many more volunteers are needed.

As in other voluntary agencies throughout the city, the use of volunteers by the Bowery Residents' Committee illustrates how people with diverse interests can join to support the homeless.

The agency's programs - emergency alcohol detoxification, housing and health care, and others - reflect the complex needs of the thousands of homeless individuals who pass through the center's doors each year. Such needs require of volunteers the same sense of responsibility that one would bring to a salaried job, according to Joel Sesser, the executive director. Lawyer, Banker, Counselors

Because of the wide range of tasks at the center, a mixture of backgrounds and abilities among volunteers is desirable. Miss Rosen said the tasks could range from fund-raising to just listening.

The board chairman of the 13-year- old health and social services organization, Theodore L. Schachter, is a lawyer who donates thousands of dollars in legal services each year.

Among other board members, Faye Buchanan, a bank officer who works in the neighborhood, enhances the group's advocacy work through her knowledge of political and community leaders. Phyllis Levin ran a job training program at Adelphi University and plans to use her skills in a pre-vocational training project at the center.

Lawrence HassenBey, Dan Lutsky and Ruben Quintana provide counseling and other assistance to alcoholics. Another counselor, Sallie Holzman, who has a master's degree in counseling from Hunter College, is gaining credit toward a certificate as an alcoholism counselor by volunteering. Trish Dale, a public-relations executive, attempts to increase the visibility of the organization's work. Expertise Is Not Required

The agency has about 30 volunteers supplementing its 80 employees. For those who come to help but doubt their abilities, ''we try to pick up from them what kind of interests they may have - music, arts, crafts, being with people - because they may have something to give and not know it,'' said Bonnie Steiner, who coordinates the committee's volunteer program.

''It's not important that they don't have expertise in that skill,'' she said. ''If they have the ability to relate and are sensitive and committed, then they might make good volunteers.''

Dan Lutsky, 43 years old and involved in the theater for nearly 25 years, said that he was once out on the street much like the client population. Now he volunteers. He never thought he had ''the ability or education to work with other people,'' he said. But over the years, his confidence and courage grew and ''I decided to give it a shot.''

''I've never felt so needed,'' said Mr. Lutsky, who is enrolled at Fordham University and hopes to get a master's degree in social work. ''When I was just sobering up, I would look at people in agencies like this and say they'd have to be nuts to work with this clientele.

I was too frightened and too busy with my own life to focus outside of it. But since working here, I've never felt so useful. I help people here as much as I can, but I help myself tenfold.''